Why school pupils are ‘striking’ to protest climate change

Mia Sutherland is a 17-year-old student from Christchurch. She is passionate about the environment, education, and humanitarian issues. She is a member of the Christchurch School Strike 4 Climate team and has had a role in the organisation and preparation of the event.

I am not a business owner, dairy farmer, or professional in any field, so I don’t think I can tell them what to do. However, I am a teenager. This, I would argue, gives me a bit more knowledge of the teenage brain than the average Kiwi adult.

Therefore, I cannot say I was surprised when, as I was informing some fellow youths of the strike, one of my friends said “I just don’t really get why we’re striking”.

Living in New Zealand is, to put it simply, pretty breezy compared to other countries in the world.

Sure, we have our issues and not everyone has it easy, but our quality of life is generally higher than many, or most, other countries. So, it’s really easy for us to say “but why are we doing this again?” because we just don’t see the impacts.

So, to run it down for those of you teens who just don’t get it, here’s why:

She details:

Climate refugees and sea levels rising

Loss of habitat and polar bears

I could go on about equally catastrophic effects of climate change, but I believe I’ve made my point.

The impacts are not limited to developing countries and polar bears – it has come for all of us. We, as a global community, are fighting this fight together, whether we like it or not.

So, youth: is a world with bleached coral, melted ice, flooded homes, and frequent cyclones one you want to live in? On your deathbed will you be regretting how you skipped school to go to a history-making, change-forcing, international rally, or how you stayed in class because you had your geography internal?

History will be made on March 15th, from 1pm in your city’s chosen location. Check out the School Strike 4 Climate Facebook page for more information. This is our future, and this is how we shape it.

I’m not sure what history will be made. Reversing climate change will take more than some time off school for some protests. But at least it is trying to do something.

Zedd

‘The actions of the Green Party in supporting this stupidity are totally reprehensible.’ sez U

NO.. the Greens are ‘just doing what they/(we) do !’; highlighting over-pollution & degrading the environment.
Obviously some folks, do think there is a place called ‘AWAY’ where it all ‘magically’ disappears to; “WAKE UP !”… this is called REALITY

adamsmith1922

Just because I disagree with the strike does not mean I do not accept there is Climate Change. My perspective is that the strike is meaningless and will achieve nothing.
Re 100% Pure it is total BS and always has been.
I do not comprehend the erm over pollution, either there is pollution of there is not.

Duker

Mia and her school CAN do somthing – from next Monday morning
They can ‘stop’ the school run where students are dropped off in cars, and instead students can ..cough cough… walk or cycle.
No ifs no buts no maybes. A generation or 2 ago it was a small number who were driven to the school gate.
So Mia work on getting your school a walk/cycle project . of course some exceptions could apply for special circumstances. but as they used to say . On your bike

Corky

Patzcuaro

Just Marxist what about Marxist Leninist Statinist or Maoist but that maybe a different strand, then there is Trotsky and what about the Cubans, then you have the North Korea’s, do they fall under Russian or Chinese strand. And does Trump come as part of the North Korea package. I doubt anyone wants to have much to do with the Venezuelans at the moment no school lunches with them. So many many choices, this must doing the heads in of those young snowflakes

Corky

Zedd

Corky

Funny how many friends you don’t have when you give up drinking and dak. Everyone pats you on the back and says they are proud of you.
The pat on the back is the death knell of your relationship with that person.

Corky

Gezza

I am a teenager. This, I would argue, gives me a bit more knowledge of the teenage brain than the average Kiwi adult.

This is why they’re always so surprised we know what they’re up to. They have no idea their parents were teenagers & haven’t forgotten the essentials of being one. Basically, they’re stupid, but it’ll be a few more years before they look back & notice that.

Also, they spend too much time on their mobiles messaging their friends sitting next to them or walking along the street with them. And they walk out in front of your car while they’re doing it. Just saying.

Zedd

Kitty Catkin

patu

I had a chat about this this with my teenaged son over dinner last night. His form class have been told that they can take the day off if they feel the need to, and there will be no consequences. The consensus amongst his peers is that it is a complete waste of time, will achieve nothing, and is for the junior students who are easily led. As he put it, “Fuck dad, if I wanted the day off, I’d just stay home without a BS excuse! I’ve got an internal (exam) on Friday, so I’ll be going to school”

Zedd

we all have our ‘priorities’ Patu; some of us think pollution & climate change are REAL & do matter to the health/well being of the planet & everything on it.. we want to see these things addressed; others are just concerned about Sex, Drugs, RocknRoll…. (& V8s ??)

each to their own.. one thing is certain; the world will likely be a different place in 30-40 years. i wont be around to see it, but the generations growing up now, probably will ?

Gezza

Gezza

Must admit, we never got away with using that word at home, nor did dad, anywhere within earshot of mum. And even now, if I slip up down at ma’s I get “why do you have to use THAT word; don’t use that word”. And while I accept plenty of young ladies also use that word with abandon these days, and a few even did in my day, the nicest ones to get to know have always bee the ones who don’t.

Alan Wilkinson

Alan Wilkinson

A century ago we had no internet, no transistors, no computers, no knowledge of how atoms worked or of fundamental particles, no nuclear power or weapons, no commercial aeroplanes or helicopters or airports, no tv or bulldozers or containers or trucks or even household electricity

And these children believe in a hundred years time we won’t have the knowledge or technology to deal with climate change. Not their fault, but the stupidity of the adults leading them.

Patzcuaro

Corky

Still floundering around, Patz? Don’t worry. Those cute snowflakes will do you proud tomorrow. BTW, HDA interviewed one. When the snowflake was asked what she would do
to counter CC, she didn’t know. Why aren’t I surprised.😆